System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy



SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH! Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTORS R. J. WISE G.H. RD.

Dec. 26, 1944. R. J. WISE ET AL 2,365,741

' SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed A ril 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG; l3' I-I-Ili rNVENToRs R.J.WISE

G.H.Rl DINGS BY R. PARROTT. as I22 65 1 26, 1944'. R. J. WISE ETAL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMI LE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

Dec. 26, 1944. R. J. WISE ET AL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941' 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 26, 1944. R. J. WISE ETAL 5,

I SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941 11 sneetsshee t 5 FIG; 5

Dec. 26, 19

SYSTEM AND R. J. WISE ET AL Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 .1. WISE ET AL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 1 8, 1 941 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS R J wuss G.H.R|DINGS R. J. wlsE- ET AL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941' 11 Sheets-She et 8 a2 [35 FIG. 9

INVENTORS R. J.W|SE

' G.H.RIDINGS R.D PARRQTT I Dec. 26, 1944; R. J. WISE ETAL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE 'IELEGRAPHY 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 18, 1941 Dec. 26, 1944. R. J. WISE ET AL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACS IMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 AMPLIFIER 7 MESSAGE IN DEPOSIT BEING MESSAGE USE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED RECTIFIER INVENTORS R.J.W|SE G.H. RI DI NGS BY R.D. ARROTT A ORN Dec. 26, 1944. R. J. WISE ET AL 2,365,741

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR'FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG. I5

INVERTER AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER AC I OR v Patented 26,1944

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACfSllHILE TELEGRAPHY Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, Garvice H. Billings,

Summit, and Robert D. Parrott, West New York, N. J., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April .18, 1941, Serial No. 389,164

(01. nix-6.6)

Claims.

This invention relates to automatic telegraph machines and more particularly to facsimile receivers for recording incoming messages on successiverecording blanks.

A well-known type of commercial facsimile machine employs a. rotating scanning drum or' recording cylinder aroundwhich is wrapped a recording blank in the case of a receiver or some form or message sheet bearing the copy to be sent in the case of a transmitter. The scanning mechanism also includes, in the case of a receiver, for example, a recording stylus which is Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a similar view on the line 1 of i 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view on the line.

8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a A modified embodiment;

moved longitudinally along the face of the blank on the cylinder as it rotates. The blank is usual-' 1y some form of recording paper capable of being marked by incoming electric, signal impulses which pass through it from the stylus either tovthe cylinder or to some other' form of ground .One disadvantage heretofore encountered in this type of machine has been the necessity of loading and unloading the individual cylinders with the recording blanks, an operation requiring time a cl skill.

An object of this invention is to provide a fac-. simile telegraph machine of the rotating cylinder type constructed and arranged to automatically load and unload the recording cylinder with success'ive recording blanks, message sheets, or the like.

A further object is to provide an improved automatic facsimile telegraph receiver capable of being controlled from a remote point such, for example, as a transmitter station.

A still further object is to provide an improved Fig. '10 is an elevation looking from the left in Fig. '9,- certain of the parts being omitted;

Fig. 11 is a view of the recording blank supply reel;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of a modification to provide a visual indication of the approxiroll; Fig. 13 is'a view of a recording blank detail;

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram showing one cricuit arrangement-for a transmitter adapted to control from the transmitting end of a line the operation of the receiver forming the present invention; and

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for controlling and operating the machine of the present invention.

The illustrated embodim of the invention shows a supporting frame I.- having forwardly feeding mechanism for' automatically supplying separate recording blanks. or the like, to a facv, simile machine.-

These and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in the art are accomplished byv the present invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a facsimile receiver. constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking from the right in Fig.1?

Fig.4 is a similar'view looking from the left in Fig 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the front panel swung to open position to show the interior of the machine;

projecting side walls 23 and a front panel 24 mounted on hinges 25 permitting the panel to be swung open giving access to the mechanism mounted within the frame and also on the inner face of the panel. Any suitable fastener or look 28 can be employed to secure the panel in closed; operative position. This panel is employed to support the complete feeding mechanism for delivering successively individual recording blanks to the recording mechanism.

As illustrated, the paper feed includes a roll M of individual blanks 32' supported preferably in overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 11, on

an elongated belt 33 of any suitable material,

the end of the belt being secured to a mandrel 34. The belt and supported blanks are rolled to ether around the mandrel to form a blank supply roll 3 l Y The opposite ends of the mandrel 34 are supported in inclined slots 35 in reel supporting bracket arms 38 mounted on the inner face of the hinged panel 24. A rod 31 extends between the arms and is engaged by the face of the supply reel. As the reel is reduced in diameter through use the mandrel will slide down the inclined slots 35, keeping the face of the reel in contact with the rod 31, which thus serves as a brake to prevent overrunning of the reel after the mate number of blanks remaining on the supply hereinafter described movement of the belt has ceased. A guide plate 38 extends across the width of the reel and is pivotally supported along one edge on a pivot 38'. The other edge rests on the reel under the rim of the belt as it is drawn oil. The plate prevents any blank from following the reel rather than being drawn oil with the belt. A pair of guide straps 33 direct the blanks across and over an idler roller 4| rotatably supported by brackets 42 near the top of the panel 24. From the idler roller 4| the belt passes downwardly around a second idler roller 43, rotatably supported by brackets 44 in a slot 45 adjacent the bottom edge of the panel, and thence to a belt take up reel48 rotatably mounted on the spaced arms 41 of a bracket secured to the supporting shelf 48 provided at the bottom of the panel 24 on the outside thereof. As illustrated, the take up reel is received in slots 49 in the bracket arms 41. With the .above described arrangement of pivoted guide plate 38 and guide straps 39, it is not necessary to overlap the blanks on the supporting belt of the supply reel I mounted on the outside of the panel 24 above the reel and connected thereto through gearing 52. The motor shaft 53 extends above the motor housing and is provided with vanes 54 for ventilating and cooling the housing.

A third idler roller 55 generally similar'to the idler roller 4|, see Fig. 6, is mounted in brackets 58 at the bottom of the panel 24 adjacent the panel slot 45. An endless belt 51 passesover the vertically spaced idler rollers 4| and 55.

" It will be apparent that the belts 33 and 51 form the moving side walls of a chute having stationary end walls 58 secured to the panel 24. The recording blanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanism hereafter described. As illustrated, the belts diverge slightly from top to bottom. Obviously, operation of the take up reel 48 unwinds the belt 33 and associated blanks from the supply roll 3|, drawing them over the upper idler roller 4| and belt 51 which are thereby caused to move simultaneously therewith. As

4 draws itinto the cylinder; around which it is indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt 33 and blanks 32 releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to drop into position to be delivered to the recording cylinder. This position is definitely determined by stops formed by ledges 6| at the lower ends of stop fingers 62 extending downwardly from the shelf 48. A pair of 00- operating fingers 63 extending dow iwardly from th bearing bracket 58 is located on opposite sides of the stop fingers 82 and guide the lower edge of the blank into engagement therewith, see

distance to pierce a blank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner hereinafter described. The

shape of the individual teeth can be varied, but a more or less-saw-tooth shape has been found satisfactory.

A peripheral groove 12 is formed in the cylinder and receives a finger 13 secured to a rod 14 rotatably mounted in the adjacent frame side wall 23 through which it extends. The projecting end of the rod 14 carries a switch actuating arm 15 for operating the switch 18 mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring 11, see Fig. 5, surrounding the rod, has one end secured in the frame wall and the-other secured to a collar 18 fastened on the rod 14 for normally pressing the finger 13- into the slot 12. Obviously, when a blank is in position on the cylinder, the finger is held out of the slot, thus raising the switch actuating arm 15. Through this switch the finger 13 controls the half nut magnet, the stylus magnet and the phasing magnet.

A blank 32 which is in the position shown in Fig.6 with the lower edge resting on the ledge 8| of the stop finger 62 is delivered to the rotat ing recording'cylinder at the desired moment. by a pusher mechanism which is illustrated as formed by grooved rollers 8| rotatably supported on one end of a frame 82 connected to the projecting end of a. core 83 of a solenoid 84 biased by tension springs 85 away from the drum. As shown in Fig. "l, the rollers are grooved to accommodate the fingers 82. When the solenoid is energized, usually by a phasing pulse received from a distant transmitter, the grooved rollers 8| are projected against the adjacent edge of the blank 32, forcing it against the teeth of the rotating cylinder which pierces the blank and wrapped.

, A presser roller 86 is rotatably mounted on a stem 81 projecting outwardly from a bracket arm 88 movably supported on the frame side wall. A spring 89 draws the roller yieldingly against the face of the drum, holding the blank against twisting during the stripping operation hereinafter described.

As soon as a blank is removed from the stop finger 82 and delivered to the-recording cylinder, the take up reel 46 is operated, drawing the belt 33 off the supply roll until the next' blank 32 is deposited on the stop finger, which serves to stop further operation of the take up reel. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the'take up reel through its motor 5| is illustrated in Fig. 8 as comprising a photocell 9| located in a housing 92 hung below the shelf 48 on the hinged panel 24. A lamp 93 for actuating the photocell is also mounted thereon, and a reflector 94 is positioned to reflect light from the lamp to the cell, the reflector being located as shown so that light from it to the cell is cut off by the presence of a blank on the stop finger 62. This serves to open the circuit of ;he take up reel motor 5|, as hereinafter described, and discontinues further blank feed until the proper time.

The recording stylus 95 and associated mechanism are mointed on and in a scanning box 38 supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder 85 on a rod 31 by a beveled roller 98 mounted in brackets 39 on the bottom of the box. An inverted U-shaped bracket |8| on the back of the box slidably embraces a guide rod I02. box can be easily removed from the machine merely by lifting off the supportand guide rods It will be apparent that the scanning 23 and driven from the shaft 66 of the recording cylinder65 through gearing I08, see Figs. 1 to 3. The gears I08 can be changed to vary the number of lines scanned per inch, and for this purpose are located in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.

Scanning movement of the carriage 96 occurs when the half nut magnet H5 mounted in the carriage is energized to shift the half nut I06 into engagement with the feed screw III'I. Any conventional mechanism such as that shown can be employed for connecting the half nut to the magnet armature for movement therewith. At the end of the scanning operation the half nut is disengaged from the feed screw and the carriage returned to its original position, shown in Fig. 5,.

by a, coil spring I I6 connected between the side wall 23 and the inverted U-shaped bracket secured-to the carriage.

As illustrated'in Fig. 13, the circumference of the recording cylinder I55 is such that when a blank 32 is wrapped aroundthe cylinder for scan-' ning its edges overlap slightly. In order to faci itate stripping the blank from the drum after scanning, each blank has a notch I2I formed in one corner in such a way'that when on the drum the notch provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permits a stripping;

finger I22 extending upwardly from the armature I23 of a magnet I24 to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the drum. The armature is pivoted on a pin I25 and biased by a coil spring I26 into inoperative position. The magnet assembly is adjustably mounted in slots I21 in a bracket I28, in turn adjustably mounted by means of slots I29 on a hanger I3I below the frame 2I, see Figs. 1 and 6. By this means the stripper finger is adjustable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanning drum.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5, a guide plate I32 is provided conarmature is pivoted on a supporting shaft I45 and is biased by a spring I46 to normally hold the rolls I39 in inoperative position. As illustrated, the stop fingers are supported on the armature supporting shaft I45.

In this modification any form of stripper can be employed for stripping the blank from the cylinder such,.for example, as the finger I" supported on a pivoted arm I48 forming the armature of a magnet I49 adapted to shift the finger into operative stripping position upon being energized. A spring I5I normally biases the finger into inoperative position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, the operation of the mechanical features thus fardescribed will be obvious. Assuming a blank to be in feeding position on the stop finger 62, upon receipt of a phasing impulse the magnet 84 is energized, causing the presser rollers 8I to be projected to the right in Fig. 6, pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the rotating cylinder 85, the teeth II of which penetrate the blank and cause it to be wrapped around the cylinder with the edges overlapping except at thenotch I2I.

Removal of the blank from the stop finger 62 uncovers the reflector 94, permitting the lamp 93 to actuate the photocell III to close the circuit of the paper feed motor 5|, causing the take up reel to draw the belt 33 off the supply roll 3| until the next blank has been released and drops onto the stop finger 6'2, cutting ofi light to the -cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage feed screw I II! is rotated from the motor 61 through the drum shaft 66 and driving gears I'IIB to produce the necessary scanning movement of the carriage and stylus longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming signal impulses cause the stylus to record on the blank the incoming messages. When the scanning operation is complete, the half. nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permittingthe carriage to be returned for guiding the blank 32 as it is drawn onto the cylinder, and a circular guide strip I33 extends around a substantial-part of the same end of the "cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving away from the cylinder.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted to the hand feeding of individual blanks. As illustrated, a chute I35 isprovided in which'an individual blank 32 is inserted by hand. The blank is definitely located in feeding position'by. a pair of stop fingers I38 having fiat upper faces on which the blank tests. 1 The scanning mechanism above and includes a rotary recording cylinder I 31 and blank holding teeth I38. The blank is delivered to-the cylinder at the proper moment by a pair of presser rolls I39 rotatably mounted on a shaft I supported in the upper end of an arm I42 forming an extension of an armature I of a magnet I the energization of which is controlled by a phasing pulse from a remote transmitter, or in any other desired wayii The to its starting position by the spring H8. Also, the stripper magnet I24 is energized, causing the stripper finger to strip the recorded blank from the cylinder. If desired, a suitable bin or receptacle, not shown, can be, provided for receiving the recorded blanks as they are stripped from the .cylinder.

' It will be apparent that the entire blank feeding mechanism is mounted on the front panel 24 and is readily accessible for adjustment or repair upon merely opening the hinged panel. A control switch I55 in the main power line to the machine is operated to cutoff power from the,

machine by opening the panl and releasing the operating plunger I56of the switch.

In order that an attendant may be apprised of the fact that the supply of recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, one expedient may be of any desired type such as that described which is contemplated is the series of'blanks of one having a diflerent marking or color than the others. Such a blank 32' (Fig. 11) may be placed in the supply roll so that itwill be followed by a predetermined small number of other blanks before the supply is exhausted.

inclusion in the.

Upon noting the appearance of such a distinctively colored blank, the attendant may make preparations for the substitution of a new supply roll of blanks in time to'prevent the recorder from becoming disabled by reason of the exhaustion of the supply of recording blanks.

An alternative arrangement for giving at all times a visual indication of the condition-of the 'moved over a graduated scale I53.

supply roll, and at the same time providing a brake for the roll, is illustrated in Fig. 12. A U-shaped bracket I51 is pivotally mounted on the guide rod I02 in such a manner that the pivot points are spaced sufiiciently along the rod and the bracket is spaced outwardly from the rod sufliciently to permit the free movement of the U-shaped bracket IOI attached to the back of the scanning box 85, An arm I58 is attached to the bracket I51 andextends upwardly to b pressed firmly against the outside of the supply roll 8|, the mandrel 34 of which, in this case, is mounted for rotation in any convenient brackets. Also attached to one end of the bracket I51 is a second U-shaped member I58 which extends upward and over the end bearing plate 23. An upstanding arm I50 is attached to the outer end orthe U-shaped member I58 and in turn has attached adjacent the upper portion thereof a spring I-BI, the other end of which is attached to any convenient support so that the unitary bracket structure is urged in a manner to cause the arm I58 to bear upon the supply roll 3| with sufiicient force to act as a brake. As the size of the roll decreases, the arm I58 is thus maintained in contact with the out- I82 is rigidly secured to. the outer end of the U-shaped member I58 and is adapted to be A suitable aperture may be formed in the cover or housing for theapparatus so that the scale may be viewed from without.

A switch I54 may be mounted adjacent the upper end of the arm I50 so that it may be operated at a predetermined point upon engagement by the arm to close a circuit for operating an alarm signal such as a bell, buzzer, lamp, or some combination thereof.

A control circuit for the facsimile recorder described is shown in" Fig. wherein the elements of the recording mechanism, are shown diagrammatically and are identified by the same characters of reference used in the foregoing diagrammatic representations of a well known 1 optical scanning mechanism.

The transmitter is provided with a conveying chute which is in communication at the lower extremity thereof with the scanning cylinder and is arranged to be accessible at the upper extremity thereof from the outside of the machine so that a. sheet containing the subject matter to be transmitted may be inserted. Such a chute may be similar in construction to the chute I35 shown in Fig. 9 and having "the additional facility of a movable member which may be aclight and a system of lenses for condensing the light to a small scanning spot directed to the scanning cylinder and for directing the light reflected from the cylinder onto a photoelectric cell with a light chopper for interrupting one of the beams periodically. Such mechanism is shown in Fig. 14 diagrammatically.

For the generation of the facsimile signals by the transmitter an ex'citer lamp I55 when energized emits a beam of light which is condensed by a lens 151 to a small spot which is directed to impinge upon the scanning cylinder I58 rotated by a motor I59. The light which is refiected from the subject matter mounted upon the scanning cylinder is again condensed by a lens I10 to a point at which is located an interrupter or chopper I" which may be in the form of a perforated disc, or one which is provided with a plurality of peripheral notches, such as I12. Th light chopper is rotated by means ,of a suitable motor I18 at a predetermined rate whereby the reflected light beam is alternately Y transmitted and interrupted at any desired frequency, depending upon the, speed of rotation of side of the supply roll. An indicator or pointer,

the disc and the number of notches or perforations with which it is provided. The light which is transmitted through the light chopper is directed onto a photoelectric cell I14 the output of which is passed through an amplifier I15 and impressed upon a pair of line conductors LI and L2.

At the receiving station thes line conductors are connected in multiple to a signal inverter I15 and an amplifier I11. The inverter I15 is connectedto an amplifier I18 which in turn is coupled by means of a transformer-l18 to the recording circuit which includes the stylus 85,

the recording blank 32 and the cylinder 55. At times when no recording is being done the stylus 95 is dissociated from the recording cylinder. By reason of its connection to the line conduc- 1 tors the amplifier I11 passes all of the facsimile signals to control the operation of a relay I80, the function of which will be described herein- 7 after. I Assume that the circuit is idle and that both the transmitting and receiving apparatus are not connected to a source of power. Someone wishing to send a message from the transmitter after having first inscribed the message upon a suitable blank provided for that purpose operates a push button 181 at the transmitter, operating a relay I82 byreason of a circuit extending from the A bus bar of a source of alternating current potential through the winding of "the relay, the push button contact I88, the break contact I84 of a relay I85, to the B bus bar of the alternating current supply. A make contact I85 of the relay tuated to open or close the upper end of the well known arrangement comprising a source of I82 is connected in parallel with the push button contact so that the relay becomes locked, permitting the release of the push button. Through the make contact I81 of this relay the A bus bar is connected to one terminal of the winding of a relay I88, the other terminal of which is connected to the B bus bar, thus energizing. this relay to move its armature 188 downward to actuate a plurality of switch contacts associated therewith. The closure of one of these contacts I connects the A bus bar of the alternating. current source to a secondary bus bar whichis labeled A. Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are-the driving motor I88 for the scanning cylinder I88 and the feedscrew foradvancing the carriage housing the optical scanning apparatus and also the motor I13 for driving the light chopper disc. "I. Also, a rectiller I9l is'connected to the-alternating current source. It is presumed that the ampliiier I15 is at all times conditioned for operation. The exciter lamp I69 is energized so that an unmod ulatedcarrier current of maximum amplitude is generated by the reflection of the light from the cylinder I68 and is transmitted over the line conductors to the receiving station.

The received signals suitably amplified by the amplifier III,- being of maximum amplitude, cause the operation of relay I80. Through a make contact I92 of this relay the input circuit of a vacuum tube I93 is energized to close the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay I94 connected in series with the output circuit of the tube; The closure of make contact I95 of this relay connects the A bus bar of a source of alternating current potential though the panel controlled switch I55 to one terminal of the pri-- mary winding I96 oi atransformer I91, the other terminal of which is connected through a break contact I98 01 a relay I99 to the B bus bar. The light source 93 is connected to the secondary .winding 200 of the transformer I91 and, therefore, is energized,

blades M9 and 2l3 are placed in engagement with their right hand contacts. The winding of the locking solenoid 2I3 is thus connected through the switch blade 2; and its right hand contact, through a break contact 2I9 of a relay 220 and the switch contact 22I to the A bus bar.

f tact 223 to one terminal of the winding of the If it be assumed that the recorder is in a con- 07 dition such that there is no recording blank in position to be placed upon the drum, then the light from the lamp 93 falls upon the photocell 9i, thereby energizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 20I. Connected in, the output circuit of. this tube is a relay 202 which thus becomes I energized to close its make contact 2031 thereby connecting one terminal of the blank feed motor 5| to the B bus bar. The other terminal of this motor is connected through the make contact I95 of relay 194 and the switch I55 to the A bus bar. The operation of this motor conveys one of the recording blanks 32 from the supply roll 3i into a position to be mounted upon the recording drum, in which position the light falling upon I the photocell 9| is interrupted. The vacuum tube 20l becomes inoperative to release the relay/202, thereby stopping the motor 5|. Upon the release of the relay 202 positive direct current potential is connected through the. break contact 200 01 relay 205, through the break contact 209 of relay 202, through the break contact 201 of relay 200, and through a make contact 209. of relay 894, to the line conductor L2.

At the transmitting station a three-position polar relay 2I0 is connected to the line conductor L2, and, in response to the positive potential applied thereto, the armature of the relay is moved to its lower contact M. A circuit is thus provided for the operation of I relay 2| I, extending from the A bus bar. through the armature and lower contact M of the relay 2-I0, and the winding of relay 2 to the B bus bar. The closure oi the make contact 2I2 of this relay connects the-A bus bar to one terminal of a locking solenoid 2 i3,

. the other terminal of which is connected to the B bus bar, thereby energizing this solenoid to move its armature 2 to the left, thereby locking the armature I99 of relay I80 down in its operated position. At the same time avr'nake contact 2II controlled by the operation of the locking armature connects the winding of the solenoid 2I3 to one blade 2I5 of a double-pole, double-throw switch 2". The purpose' of this switch is to arrange the transmitter for either intermittent or continuous operation. Let us assume first that the transmitter is arranged for intermittent operation, in which case the switch relay 224. The other terminal of the winding of this relay is connected through a break contact 225 which is controlled by the arm engaging the scanning cylinder and which has for its purpose the detection oi the presence or non-presence of ablank on the cylinder. In the later case, the break contact 225 is closed, thereby completing the circuit for the operation of relay 224 to the B bus bar. The closure of make contact 225 of this relay connects the B bus bar to one terminal or tiiechute magnet 22'! and to one terminal of a lamp 229. The other terminals of the lamp and the chute magnet are connected to the A bus bar so that they become energized. The lamp illuminates a sign bearing. the legend Deposit message. The energization of the chute mag-v net 221 withdraws a closure 229 from the upper end of a chute 230 so that the message may be inserted therein, after which it is conveyed by gravity to the scanmng cylinder I68, by which it is gripped and mounted thereon for subsequent scanning.

As soon as the sheet is mounted upon the scanning cylinder, the contact 225 is opened, thereby releasing relay 224, which causes the deenergization of the chute magnet 22? and extinguishes the Deposit message" lamp 228. Thus, the chute is closed to prevent the insertion of-other sheets.

, The presence of a sheet upon the scanning cylinder eiiects the closure of contact 23L thereby connecting the B bus bar to one terminal of the halfnut magnet 232. The other terminal of this magnet is connected through the switch contact 223 and the make contact 222 of relay'2II to the A bus bar. The half nut magnet thus-becomes energized to move the half nut into engagement with,

. through a break contact 235 of relay I85, through a break contact 233 of relay 220, to the line-com ductor LI.

At the record. a three-positionpolar relay 240 is connected to the line conductor LI and in response to the positive potential connected thereto the armature of thisrelay engage its right hand contact M The winding of relay I99 is thus connected between the *bus bars Atand B and, consequently, is energized to operate its contacts. The make contact 2 of this relay is connected to shunt the break contact 209 of relay 202 for a purpose tobe morefully describdi hulinafter. Even though the break contact I of relay I39 is opened. the transformer I9! is maintained energized through a circuit extending through the make contact a break contact 243 of a relay 244.

242 of this relay and On the next succeeding revolution of the transmitter cylinder I58 following the energization of the half nut magnet 232, a black spot 245 is scanned to generate a carrier current signal having a minimum amplitude. The reception of this signal at the recorder momentarily deenergizes the relay I80, permitting the closure of a break contact246. A circuit is thus completed for the operation of relay 244 and extends from the positive terminal of a convenient source of direct current throughabreak contact 24! of a relay 248, the windin of relay 244, break contact 246 of relay I80, and the make contact 249 of relay I99, to ground. The closure of a make contact 250 of relay 244 looks this relay so that upon the reoperation of relay I80 in response to carrier current signals having amplitudes greater than the minimum amplitude the relay 244 is maintained energized independently of th relay I80.

The break contact 243 of relay 244 deenergizes the transformer I91 and extinguishes the light 1 93 temporarily. Theclosure of a make contact 25I of relay 244 completes a circuit from a convenient source of direct current through the winding of the phasing magnet 84. This magnet actuates the roller M which forces the blank 32 into a position where it is gripped by the teeth of the recording cylinder and is thu wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording.

The removal of the blank 32 from in front of the These signals also are applied to the relay I80, which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies between maximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 245 of this relay is ineffective to operate the relay 244, since the operating circuit of this relay is open .at the break contact 241 of relay 248. The opening and closing of the contact I92 of relay I80 alternately energizes and deenergizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube I93, but this circuit is provided with means for delaying the 'deenergization thereof during the interval of time that the contact I92 is open. This is accomplished by providing a condenser 254 connected between the grid of thetube and a source of negative potential. When the I contact I92 is closed, this condenser is charged to a potential whereby the input circuit of the tube is energized. As soon as the contact I92 is opened, the charge on the condenser begins to dissipate through a leak resistor 255 and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the potential of the grid of the tube becomes sufficiently negative with respect to its cathode that the plat: current is reduced to a value which is insufiicient to maintain the relay I94 operated. However, the values'of the condenser 254 and the leak resistor 255 are chosen so that the plate circuit of the tube I93 draws suillcient current during the normal operation of recording that the relay I94 remains operated. 1

At the transmitter, when the carriage 255 containing the scanning apparatus has advanced to the end of its movement, a contact 251 operated by the carriage is closed, thereby closing a circuit from the A bus bar through the winding. oi relay I85, and the break contact 258 of relay 224, to the B bus bar. Relay I85 is thus energized to open its break contact 235 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from the line con- 40 ductor LI.

the contacts of this relay until the recording blank is completely mounted upon the recording cylinder. After this operation has been completed the contacts of relay 244 are released, thereby deenergizing the phasing magnet 84. The closure of break contact 243 of this relay again energizes the transformer I91 and operates the light 93 to excite the photoelectric cell M and thereby initiate the operation of the blank feeding motor 5I to convey another blank into position to be transferred to the recording cylinder when required. The opening of the break contact 206 of relay 202 in response 'to this operation opens one circuit from the positive source of pothrough a make contact 253 of this relay, through the windings of the half nut magnet I I5 and the tylus magnet 105 to the A bus bar. The stylus 95 is thus moved into a recording position'in contact with the blank 32 and the half nut is moved At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from line conductor LI disengages the armature of polar relay 240 from its right hand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for relay I99. The release of this relay closes.

make contact 259 of relay 248, the winding of relay 205, and the break contact 260 of relay I99, to ground. The operation of relay 205 closes a circuit ,through a make contact 29I to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet I24 between the bus bars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removed from the cylinder 35, permitting the contact I5 to be opened. Relay 249 is thus released and the 'closure. of a break contact 292 of this relay completes a circuit from the B bus bar through a make contact 283 of relay 205, through the winding or relay 208, the normally closed contact 284 of the key switch 255, a break contact 255 of relay 251, to the A bus bar. Relay 208 i thus operated and looked through its make contact/258. A light 259 is connected in parallel with this relay and is also energized to signal the attendant that a meme has been received.

It will be noted that the operating circuit 01 the strippingmagnet I24 includes the make contact 25I of relay 205 which, at the time that the relay 248 i released by the opening of contact 18 controlled by the recording sheet, is deenergized by the opening of make contact 259 of relay 248.

' However, it is provided with a condenser 210 conrecording blank for the reproduction of the sub- :Iect matter being scanned at the transmitter.

nected in parallel with its winding which delays the release of its contacts until after the sheet has been completely removed from the cylinder.

While these functions are beingv performed at the recorder, it should be pointed out that, immediately'upon the operation of relay 205, the positive potential which had been connected to line conductor L2 during the recording'op'eration is removed therefrom by the opening of a break contact 204 of this relay. Also, by the time this contact is permittedto reclcse following the deenergization of relay 205, a circuit for this positive potential is opened at the break contact 201 of relay 208 which has operated in the meantime.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor L2 produces a response at the transmitter by the relay 2I0 whereby the armature of this relay is disengaged from its lower contact M, thereby releasing relay 2| I.- The opening of make contact 222 of this relay deenergizes the half-nut magnet 232, thereby opening the contacts controlled thereby and permitting the return of the. carriage 258 to its original po-- sition. Y I

At the transmitter, while the half-nut magnet 232 is energized during a scanning operation, a

make contact 21I is closed and shunts the break contact I84 of relay I85 so that when this relay is operated to open its break contacts in response to the operation of the carriage controlled contact 251, the locking circuit for the relay I82 is maintained through the half-nut magnet contact. But as soon as the positive potential has been removed from the line conductor L2 following the receipt of the end-of-message signal at the recorder to release relay 2 II and thereby release the half-nut magnet, the contact 21I is opened to deenergize the relay I82. This relay remains in this condition until the push button I8I is operated at some future time.

The attendant at the recorder has facilities for making another recording of the same sub- Ject'matter if, upon inspection-the original recording is unsatisfactory. To do this the handle of the key switch 265 is momentarily operated to the right, thereby opening the contact 264 andunlocking relay 208, and at the same time extinguishingthe light 269. The release of relay 200. reconnects positive potential through its break contact 201 to the line conductor L2.

At the transmitter, the polar relay 2I0 is again operated to its lower contact M and the transmitting mechanism is started upon .the same cycle of operation as previously described. The

of break contact 235 of relay I 85 disconnects the positive potential from the line conductor LI to control the recorder mechanism in the manner described. The opening of break contact I 84 of this relay opens the locking circuit for the magnet 213 thereby releasing the switch 212 to its normal position.

At the; recorder, when the attendant is satisfied with the recording, the handle of the key switch 265 is operated to the left to close a contact 219. A circuit is thus completed from the B bus bar through the make contact 268 of relay 208, the switch contact 219, the winding of relay 280, the closed switch contact 264, the break f contact 268 of relay 261 to the A bus bar. Relay 280 is operatedand locked through its make contact 28I. Closure of make contact 282 of this i relay connects negative potential through the break contact 283 of-relay 248, through the make also energized to illuminate a sign bearing the legend Message accepted. As soon as the sheet bearing the subject matter transmitted has been removed from the cylinder, the contact 225 is reclosed which establishes acircuit from the A bus bar through the armature and upper contact S of relay 2I0, the winding of relay 220, the

break contact 228 of relay-224, the contact 225,

to the B bus bar. The relay 220 is thus energized to open, at the break contact 2I9, the locking circuit of the locking solenoid 2I3. The armature I89 of relay I08 is released permitting the opening of the switch contacts controlled thereby. The opening of contact I 90 disconnects the A bus bar from the A. bus bar thereby deenergizing the rectifier I9I, the driving motor I69 and the chopper motor I13, and the exciter lamp I66.

The release of the armature I89 of the relay I88 closes a circuit from the Abus bar through switch contact 289, the make contact 290 of the relay 220, and the switch conta'ct 29I to reenertransmitter is provided with means for gener- I gize the locking solenoid 2 I3. At the same time a lamp 292 is energized to illuminate a sign bearpose of economiz'ing the line time utilized for the transmission of the facsimile signals in the case where a relatively short message is to be transmitted. In the case of a short message a switch 212, the handle of which is accessible from the outside of the machine, is moved to the right as viewed in the drawings. The switch is locked in this position by the energization of a magnet 213 through a circuit which extends from the A bus bar through the winding of the magnet,

.a make contact214 and a break contact I84 of relay I85 to the B bus bar.

As soon as the carriage 256 has traveled -a sufllcient distance to effect an engagement of a roller 215 with some convenient stationary member 216, a contact 211 is closedto complete an operating circuit for the-\ relay I85 which extends from the A bus bar ing the legend In use. The operation of the armature 2I4 controlled by the locking solenoid at this time prevents the movement of the arma ture I89 in response to any possible reenergization of the relay I88.

The scanning apparatus which is deenergized upon the release of the'switch contacts controlled by the'relay I88 in ,a short time results in the disconnection of the carrier current from the line conductors. At the recorder the absence of the carrier current signals causes the release of relay I80, and at a predetermined time following the release of this relay the timing apparatus associated with the input circuit of the vacuum tube I93 becomes effective to open the plate circuit locks relays 208 and 280. In this manner power and causes the release of relay I94. The opening of contact I95 of this relay disconnects the A bus bar from the driving motor 61 and the primary winding I98 of transformer I91, and unis disconnected from the recording apparatus and itis restored to its normal idle condition in which on their left hand contacts.

tact S.

it remains until the push button IBI is again operated 'at the transmitter. contact I95 disconnects negative potential from line L2 whichrestores the transmitter polar relay 2! to normal and thereby releases relay 220 and deenergizes solenoid 2l3 and the lamp 292.

In accordance with the operation. of the system described up to this point, the transmitting and recording mechanisms are completely shut down following the transmission and satisfactory recording of each message. The system may be arranged for continuous operation by placing the blades of the switch 2|! at the transmitter When the push button I8l isoperated to energize relay I82, the switch contact relay I88 is operated as before.to start the transmitting mechanism whereby a carrier current signal is generated. The recording apparatus responds to this signal as in the foregoing description and the locking solenoid M3 at the transmitter is energized in response to a signal transmitted over the line conductor L2 from the recorder. This solenoid is locked by a circuit which extends from the B bus bar through the windingof the solenoid, the make contact 2l5, and through the switch blade 216 and its.

left hand contact to the A bus bar. It will be noted that once this circuit is closed, it cannot be opened by the operation of any of the relays as in the previous case. Consequently, the switch contacts remain closed maintaining the transmitting apparatus in continuous operation.

The opening of the chute 230 and the subsequent transmission and recording of the message is accomplished in the same manner as that described previously. 'When the end-of-message signal is generated at the transmitter, the recorded message is removed from the cylinder 65 after which the relay 208 is operated and locked and the lamp 269 is energized. For'this type of operation the key switch 265 may be left in its normal position as shown while a message is being recorded, in which case the attendant may make a second recording of the message or may accept it, if satisfactory, by the previously de- The opening of apparatus is resumed as previously described.

At the recorder the attendant may place the key switch 265 permanently in the accept position to maintain the contact 219 closed at all times. In this case, as soon as the sheet bearing the recording has been removed from the cylinder to permit the release of relay 248, relays 208 and 280 operate and lock simultaneously after which negative potential is applied to the line conductor L2.

The sequence of operations at the transmitter,

in response to this potential, is identical with that previously described and results in the application of negative potential to the line conductor Ll. relays 208 and 280, thereby restoring the recording apparatus to a condition for making another recording.

It will be noted that, with the key switch 285 locked in the Accept position, it isnot possible to obtain a second recording of a message. The transmitting and recording machines vwill operate through their described cycles as long as additional message bearing sheets are inserted in the transmitter chute.

At the recorder, in response to this potential,

polar relay 240 is operated to its left hand con- A circuit is thus closed for theoperation of relay 261.. The opening of the break contact 266 of this relay opens the locking circuit for relays 20a and 280, thereby releasing these relays. The opening of either of the make contacts 284 or 282 of these respective relays removes thenegative potential from the line conductor The polar relay 2! atthe transmitter in re cepted" lamp 281 is extinguished and the relay 220 is deenergized; Thus the transmitter is released for further operation if the recorder is in a condition to record.

The system is shut down by the opening of the double throw switch 2 i I at the transmitter. This operation opens the locking circuit for the locking solenoid 2I3 and permits the opening of the switch contacts, thereby disconnecting the power source from the transmitting apparatus. The

absence of the carrier current from the line conductor results in the disconnection of power from the recorder as described.

The nature of the invention may be ascertained from the foregoing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is;

1. In a facsimile machine having a recording cylinder, means for delivering a succession of recording blanks to said cylinder including an elongated belt supporting a series of blanks rolled together to form a supply reel, means for unreeling said belt step by step so as to free successive blanks for delivery to said cylinder, and means for delivering said blanks when released to said cylinder.

' to form a supply reel, means for unreeling said belt so as to free successive blanks for delivery to said cylinder, means for locating a freed blank in predetermined feeding position adJacent said cylinder, and means responsive to the presence of a blank in feeding position for controlling the operation of said unreeling means.

3. A facsimile machine having in combination a recording cylinder, means for holding a blank on said 'cylin'der, means for delivering a succession of blanks to said cylinder including an elon- At the recorder this effects the release of a recording cylinder, means on said cylinder for holding a blank thereon, means for delivering a succession of single blanks to said cylinder in-' cluding a stop for locating a blank in feeding position with oneedge adjacent said cylinder,

means for pushing said edge against said cylinder into engagement with said holding means whereby rotation of said cylindercauses said blank to be wrapped around said cylinder, and means responsive to removal of a blank from feeding position for operating said delivery means to locate another blank in feeding position.

5. A facsimile machine having in combination a recording cylinder, means on said cylinder forholding a blank thereon, means for delivering a succession of single blanks to said cylinder including a stop for locating a blank infeeding position with one edge adjacent said cylinder, means for pushing said edge against said cylinder into engagement with said holding means whereby rotation of said cylinder causes said blank to be wrapped around saidcylinder, means responsive to removal of a blank from feeding position for operating said delivery means to locate another blank in feeding position, and means for removing a blank from said cylinder.

6. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine, each having a sheet supporting cylinder and means for conveying single sheets to the respective cylinders, one of said machines having means for locating a sheet in a predetermined feeding position adjacent the cylinder thereof, and means responsive to the presence of a sheet in feeding position for controlling the conveying means of both of said machines.

7. In a facsimile system, a transmitting ma.- chine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, each having a sheet supporting cylinder and means for conveying singly asuccession of sheets to the respective cylinders, one of said machines having means for locating a sheet in a predetermined feeding position ad- ,J'acent the cylinder thereof, means responsive to chine and a recording machine having scanning mechanisms interconnected for communication, one of said machines having a sheet supporting cylinder, means for holding a sheet on said cylin- 'der, means for locating a sheet in predetermined feeding position adjacent said .cylinder, and means responsive to a predetermined operation of the scanning mechanism of the other of said machines for applying a sheet in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means.

10. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machine having apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder,- and means responsive to said scanning apparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be eng ged by said sheet holding means. 7

11. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said machines having sheet supporting cylinders and means on said cylinders for Wrapping and holding on the respective cylinders sheets fed thereto, means in said recording machine for locating a sheet in predetermined feeding position adjacent the recording cylinder, means in said transmitting machine for scanning a subject matter bearing sheet supported on the transmitting cylinder, and means responsive to the scanning of -a predetermined portionof said subject matter bearing sheet for feeding a sheet located in said feeding position to said recording cylinder.

12. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine operatively conthe absence of a sheet from said feeding position to actuate the conveying means of said one machine, and means responsive to the presence of a sheet in said feeding position to actuate the conveying means of the other of said. machines.

8. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected. for communication, each having asheet supporting cylinder and means for conveying sheets one at a time to the respective cylinders, said record-- ing machine having means for locating a sheet in a predetermined feeding position adjacent the cylinder thereof, means responsive to the absence of a sheet from said feeding position to actuate the conveying means of saidireeording machine, and means responsive to the Presenceof a sheet in said feeding position to actuate the conveying means of said transmitting machine.

9. In a facsimile system, a transmitting maditionable for communication and each being provided with a scanning mechanism, means operable for conveying sheets to one of said mechanisms, means associated with said one machine to selectively prepare for the operative conditioning of said conveying means or the inoperative conditioning of said transmitting and recording machines, and means responsive to the completion of a recording operation to actuate said selective means to perform its selected function.

13. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, each having scanning mechanism, means for conveying sheets to the respective mechanisms, means in said transmitter for operatively-conditioning said transmitter and said recorder, and means responsive to the completion of a recording operation to efiect selectively the operative conidtioning of said transmitter conveying means or the inoperative conditioning of .said transmitter and said recorder.

14. In a facsimile system, a,transmitter and a recorder, each having scanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a succession of single sheets-to the respective mechanisms, a selector at said transmitter to prepare for any one of a plurality of operations, and means responsive to the completion of a re-' cording operation for operating said selector to effect selectively the operative conditioning of one of said conveying means. or the inoperative conditioning of said transmitter and said recorder.

15. In a facsimile system, a

transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, 

